I’ve been in love with Portugal from the very first time I set foot in the country. I particularly like the north of the country because it has less tourists and its so much quieter during the peak season which is generally when we get a chance to visit because we drive down every year in summer. Needless to say, we’ve been to so many of the top places to visit in North Portugal and we’ve also covered the offbeat spots too.
Generally speaking, people who visit the North of Portugal generally come here for day trips. That is aside from staying in Porto. While Porto is a pretty great city, it has become very popular with a lot of footfalls making it crowded and more expensive than it used to be.
In this post I’m going to take you through all the cool places to visit in north Portugal. The offbeat ones, the cities, natural parks, lakes and even the beaches. I’ve written about many of these spots before so I’ll tie in that information too. That way you have everything at your fingertips and you can plan your trip to Portugal easily.
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Table of Contents
Places To Visit In North Portugal – The Cities
The north of Portugal has a lot of cities. Some are big and others not so much. These are definitely worth exploring because there is a lot of change between city to city. You’ll see this in the food, the monuments and even the geography.
1. Porto
When I talk about places to visit in north Portugal, people immediately think about Porto. It isn’t surprising as Porto is the biggest city in the north and it has gained a lot of popularity. Porto was initially seen as the quieter and cheaper alternative to Lisbon. While it may be a bit cheaper (not as much as it used to be), it is certainly not quiet. The city is abuzz with people moving about and that’s not just in the day.
There are loads of things to do in Porto. I have found that if the weather is bad, there are fewer activities for children than you would have in Lisbon. There are plenty of cafes that you can head to and many of them are kid friendly though. Lots to eat and plenty to explore.
Where To Stay In Porto:
- Pousada do Porto – Budget And Kid Friendly Option
- Mercure Porto Centro Aliados – Central and luxury
- Casa da Companhia – Luxury
One thing that you should note about Porto is that everything is uphill. That gets tedious overtime if you aren’t used to it. We felt it largely because we carried our children for a lot of the time that we moved about. This means that were you stay is important. I’ve got a detailed guide on the best hotels and parts of Porto to stay in if you need more information on this or just more options.
2. Braga
Not many people head to Braga even though its one of the bigger cities in the north. Those that do often head here as part of a day trip from Porto. The city is much quieter than Porto and there are still plenty of things to do in Braga. We stayed here for a couple of days and never felt bored. In fact, Braga has a quiet relaxing vibe despite the buzz. It is an old city. In fact it is the oldest city in Portugal.
When you walk through it, you will see monuments that are hundreds of years old around you. There are plenty of museums and churches too. These aren’t the only reason why Braga is worth visiting. I found that Braga felt pretty untouched by tourism compared to many of the other cities Portugal. It is the perfect blend of the old and the new, the buzz of activity and the slow pace of life that I love in Portugal.
Where To Stay In Braga
- Vila Gale Collection Braga – Best Family Accommodation
- Hotel Moon & Sun Braga
3. Guimarães
Guimarães is one of the cool places to visit in North Portugal. It is located in the Braga district and is close to Braga the city. It is usually an easy day trip from Braga but people also head here from Porto. Guimarães is popular because of its medieval architecture and its fairytale like look. Many people struggle to choose between both Braga and Guimarães and I get it. Its hard. Both the cities have totally different vibes even though they are so close to each other. That is why people tend to combine both and make a day of it.
Guimarães has plenty to see and do. It is a small city though and you can move about it very easily. It is small enough that you can explore it in a day and be done but beautiful enough that you could stay for longer and not get bored.
Guimarães also has a lot of history. It is called the birthplace of Portugal because it was the birthplace of the first king of Portugal D. Afonso Henriques. Visiting the castle in the city, learning about how Portugal became an empire and tracing the history back was one of the most interesting experiences that we had. There was an event conducted at the castle when we visited where we could watch it all using virtual reality. It gave us a whole new depth to the experience.
It even has a couple of natural parks right next door. Perfect if you decide to stay in Guimarães for longer.
Where To Stay In Guimarães
4. Bragança
Bragança was never on our bucket list. It was just a convenient spot to stop at during our long ride from the Netherlands to Portugal. It turned out to be one of our favorite places to visit in North Portugal and one of the spots that our kids talked about months later. Why?
Well first off Bragança is located very close to the Parque Natural De Montesinho which is a great place to go hiking in. You can go for long walks, cool your feet in the streams, spot local wildlife or even just drive through. It is beautiful and peaceful and the children loved every minute here.
In addition to this, Bragança itself has a lot of things that you can see and do which totally makes Bragança worth visiting. If you have your own mode of transport you can even cover a lot of spots closer to the city and visit some of the local lakes.
Where To Stay In Bragança
- Exe São Lázaro (has a nice swimming pool!)
- Hotel ibis Bragança (budget option)
- O Abel Hotel rural (quiet, away from the city and great for families)
5. Viana do Castelo
When it comes to my favorite places to visit in North Portugal, Viana do Castelo ranks at the very top. It isn’t a very big city but it has so much going for it. There are plenty of things to do in the city and it has a very laid back vibe. Similar to Braga but different in its own way.
The cobbled stoned streets of Viana do Castelo always seem to lead you from one attraction to another. When we arrived here, we were rather under the weather. Everyone had caught a bug so we wanted some down time. The city turned out perfect for that. For the first couple of days we just sat around, drank coffee and feasted on the local delicacies. Late night strolls were are also on our agenda.
The nightlife of the city is also nice. It isn’t the loud kind if you know what I mean. There are plenty of places where people head to just have a drink and chat with their friends. Children are always welcome and everything is very family friendly.
Where To Stay In Viana Do Castelo
- FeelViana Sport Hotel (Beachfront, Luxury)
- Avenida Viana Boutique Suites (Downtown, Budget)
- Enjoy Viana – Guest House (Downtown, budget)
6. Chaves
Chaves is a pretty city and while it is a good distance away from the more popular sites, it is still one of the cool places to visit in North Portugal. Chaves was bigger than I expected. We visited on one of the hottest days of the year and the heat really wiped us out. Which is one of the reasons we found shelter in one of the local cafes and sat talking with the locals. Despite the heat, this remains one of my favorite memories in Portugal.
The city is beautiful. From visiting the iconic castle to taking a dip in one of the most iconic spas, you will find that Chaves has so much to offer. If you don’t want to head from attractions to attractions, there are plenty of places to sit down and enjoy the local cuisine. Patel de Chaves is something that you should try here.
If the weather is good, wander through the Jardim Publico de Chaves. The shade of the trees, the gorgeous flowers and the serenity of the surroundings is totally worth it.
Where To Stay In Chaves
7. Vila Real
We loved Vila Real so much that we made two separate day trips to this city with just days between each other. We initially wanted to stay in the city because we had heard a lot about it but then decided to stay in Boticas park because it was a really nice accommodation and in the middle of nature.
Villa Real is one of those cities that you have to just feel. Its busy in its own way but not the same way as Porto or Lisbon.
Where To Stay In Villa Real
Places To Visit In North Portugal – Natural Parks
8. Douro Valley
The Douro valley is known all around the world. Not only for the Douro river that flows through it but also for the beautiful valleys that surround it. The Douro is also famous for the vineyards that grow in and around it. The land here is known for some of the best wine in Portugal. People also head here just as a day cruise from Porto. It is beautiful and a great way to explore the region.
For me the Douro is more than that. I loved staying in the offbeat spots here. It is quiet and peaceful. The small villages where life continues undisturbed. The small little playgrounds where the girls can enjoy themselves and be carefree.
9. Peneda de Geres
Where To Stay Peneda de Geres
10. Boticas Natural Park
Boticas Natural Park is one of the lesser visited parks in Portugal. We found the park because we discovered the Boticas Parque Natur Houses when we were searching for accommodation and fell in love with it.
The park has so much to offer. From local trails, to camping, kayaking, a huge children’s playground and more. We spent three whole days here enjoying the simple life and it was so good. You can even sit and enjoy ice creams or a beer from the local stall in the park.
You don’t need to stay in the park to enjoy it though. It is open to everyone. You can pack a picnic and enjoy it at the local picnic tables.
Where To Stay In Boticas Natural Parque
11. Parque Natural De Montesinho
Parque Natural De Montesinho is located right at the north of the country and is one of the most interesting spots that we have visited. If you stay in Braganza, you can easily drive to the park but you can also just stay in the park surrounded by nature.
Parque Natural De Montesinho is smaller than Peneda de Geres and has a lesser footfall. In my opinion, it is still one of the best places to visit in North Portugal. You get a more local vibe here. From small little cafes and restaurants to camping in the wild. It is a unique experience. It is also extremely beautiful. Quite little trails. Cool streams to dip your legs into. So much to see that the time you have will not do justice to it.
Where To Stay In Parque Natural De Montesinho
Places To Visit In North Portugal For The Beach
12. Espinho
Many people head to the south of Portugal for the beaches. We decided to stick to the beaches in the North. Espinho is one of the smaller cities next to Porto and it is perfect. Not too crowded and not too many tourists but a beautiful beach. The downside however is that the water can get really cold. That didn’t stop Shawn from getting in and taking a dip.
I think we spent all our time on this beach soaking up the sun. The only time we got up was for food. There were even toilets close to the beach which made it really handy.
At the end of the day, it honestly doesn’t matter which of these places to visit in North Portugal you pick. Each one has its own unique beauty. Most of them are places I would visit again. Some of them have the pull of natural beauty that never gets old. Others the allure of history. Or maybe I’m just biased but the North of Portugal has always captured my heart and I return to it every single chance I can.
Other Posts That May Interest You
- Is Portugal really worth the trip?
- Where to stay in Lisbon: A First Time Visitors Guide
- What to wear in Lisbon in summer
- Cool day trips from Lisbon
- 4 day Lisbon itinerary
- Is The Lisbon card worth it?
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